I am wondering if anyone is a builder or knows all the legalities of building a home to sell. I am selling my current home and will have enough money to pay a loan to build a home to sell for a profit. It is going to be a log-type home from New Zealand. There are only two of these type homes in all of North America. It only takes about 1 month to put up once the foundation is finished. What I am clueless about is zoning, permits, and inspections. Please post if you have any info or advice for me. Thank you.

What I am clueless about is zoning, permits, and inspections. Please post if you have any info or advice for me. Thank you.

Jessi

Jessi, most people are clueless when it comes to zoning because it varies from state to state and city to city.

My advice to you, is to work closely with your towns code enforcement officer. Tell him what you plan to do, keep him involved, it will help when you go before the planning board.

Once you get your home approved, still keep him involved, have him inspect things before you pour the foundation or cover the sewer. Utilizing the code enforcement officer costs you nothing, but could save you a fortune.

What is the difference between a log home from New Zealand and a log home from Canada ? Im interested, I've been on several jobsites building log homes and cabins in Northern Ontario, and I'm thinking of building one myself in a few years.

These homes from New Zealand are extremely cheap and they go up in 30 days once your foundation is done. They aren't technically "log" homes since they are rectangular wood pieces and not round logs. They have vertical pilars every so many feet with grooves in each direction a wall comes out of it. Between two "pilars" rectangular planks are slid down on top of each other to form a wall. These homes don't need insulation but it is recommended in areas with extreme weather changes. The company that makes these homes offers packages that include all the doors, windows, insulation (if needed) and siding (if insulated). They will also build the house for you and follow all local zoning laws and get the permits for you if you want that but you can do the building yourself since it is so easy. They also have their own electrician and plumbers (I think, still looking into that) that will finish everything else. Since everything is automatically insulating, you garage, and attics are useable living space if you need it later on.

The best part is that the price per square foot is only $80. That is extremely cheap.

My husband and I know a couple who are really into finding ways to make money and they found this product somewhoere (??) and have spent over 2 years looking into it and planning everything from loans to selling the home afterwards...they only lack to money to pay the loan. They are Mormons and VERY good people and they are just giving us ALL their info on how to do every step since they know we are going to have the money for the loan when our current house sells.

Here's a link, they are a new company and their website really really sucks but you can see a bit of their product. You can also custom what staining or distressing to the wood you want and even have them make custom built-ins like entertainment centers and hutches.

If you look on their packages for homes, I did the math for the largest home (3019 sq ft) they sell and it is only $55 a square foot built for you by them. I'm sure shipping it here will be a killer though.